QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/50246
the need for further skills formation in the sector. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) Apprentice and Trainee Destinations data suggest that apprentices and trainees mostly remain with the employer with whom they undertake their apprenticeship or traineeship, which means investment by the sector in new apprenticeships could assist the longer term supply of skilled workers. • However, at the time the 2011 Interim Report was written the supply of skills through short term or long term migration appeared to be waning. Grants for the temporary business visa (subclass 457 visa) declined by 31 per cent from 50,660 primary grants in 2008-09 to 34,790 in 2009-10 and visa grants under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program decreased by 13 per cent from 69,153 in 2008-09 to 59,890 in 2009-10 (DIAC, 2011). The Australian Government 2011-12 Budget introduces Enterprise Migration Arrangements (EMAs) as recommended by NRSET to streamline arrangements for access to overseas workers, which will assist more flexible labour market responses through migration, as will the Critical Skills Investment Fund and the Cairns based FIFO Coordinator. Note: Given the strong outlook for the sector, it seems likely that the extent of FIFO and DIDO work will increase in the period ahead. Skills Australia concluded that the data highlight the need for further policy responses if the resources sector's skill needs are to be met without adverse impacts on the rest of the economy, and suggested that the policy mix should include: • Further consideration of measures to achieve sustained increases in labour force participation to better meet Australia's overall skill needs as well as the resource sector's skill needs; • Options to facilitate greater increases in labour mobility, both by region and from declining to emerging industries; • Possible measures to increase participation by Indigenous people so they can take advantage of entry level job opportunities in the resources sector; and, • A strong policy focus on means by which more women can also be encouraged to take advantage of entry level work opportunities which can be accessed relatively quickly through training provision in the resources sector, given that women continue to be significantly under- represented in this sector. Risks and uncertainties The projections prepared by ABARES with respect to likely growth in output by commodity are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include: Uncertainties about growth in demand for commodities. A substantial proportion of Australia's commodity exports go to countries such as China, Japan, Korea and India, so demand for Australia's commodities is dependent on growth in demand for commodities in these countries. • Uncertainties about the capacity to supply these international markets to the extent envisaged by ABARES because of the Queensland floods and cyclone. • Nonetheless, if the ABARES projections are realised, it is likely that demand for labour will rise substantially in mining and gas operations, potentially to a greater extent than projected in the 2010 NRSET report. Skills Australia's 2011-12 work program on resources sector skill needs Skills Australia noted that the 2011 interim report is the first of what will be an annual review of skills needs in the resources sector. It has largely concentrated on analysis of what has changed in the 12 months since NRSET reported. Subsequent reports will involve more detailed analysis on a number of topics, including detailed analysis of the extent and impact of FIFO labour and the effect of the Cairns-based, and other, FIFO coordinators on enhancing use of FIFO labour. Skills Australia also foreshadowed more detailed analysis of the broader community flow on effects of growth in the mining sector. The full Skills Australia Interim Report is available at: www.skillsaustralia.gov.au under publications. The National Resources Sector Workforce Strategy The National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce was established in late 2009 to examine how to meet the skills needs of more than 75 major resources projects scheduled to commence in Australia over the next five years. The Taskforce's final report to Government Resourcing the Future was published on 17 July 2010. Resourcing the Future contained 31 recommendations in seven key areas of workforce development for the resources sector to: • Promote workforce planning and sharing of information; • Increase the number of trade professionals; • Graduate more engineers and geoscientists; • Meet temporary skills shortages with temporary migration; • Strengthen workforce participation; • Forge stronger ties between industry and education; and, QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin Summer 2011/12 41